Calculator
Landscaping cost calculator
A planning range in about thirty seconds. Enter the area you are actually planting — not the lot size — and the scope you have in mind. The result is a range to sanity-check quotes, not a substitute for them.
Updated November 2026 · National ranges adjusted by state price level
How it calculates. Per-square-foot base ranges: refresh $3–$7, full planting $6–$12, planting with sod and one hardscape element $8–$15, xeriscape $5–$12. Finish multipliers: 0.8 budget, 1.0 standard, 1.35 premium. Add-ons: design $500–$2,500, irrigation $2,000–$6,000, drainage $1,500–$5,000. The total is multiplied by the state's BEA regional price parity. Every input is visible, and none of it is a quote.
Calculator FAQ
How accurate is a landscaping cost calculator?
It is a planning tool, not an estimate. It multiplies a national per-square-foot range by your area and scope, then adjusts for your state's price level. It cannot see your access, soil, drainage, plant choices or the condition of what is being removed, which is why a local quote can land 30% either side of the number.
What is not included in the calculator?
Permits, engineered drainage, retaining walls over the typical height limit, mature specimen trees, lighting, fencing, pool surrounds, and any structural work. Those are quoted separately and can double a project.
Should I use planted area or lot size?
Planted area. Measure the beds you are changing, not the whole lot. A 0.25-acre lot usually has 1,000–2,000 square feet of beds, and the rest is lawn, drive and house.
Why does the calculator ask for a finish level?
The same square footage can be planted with 1-gallon shrubs at 3-foot spacing or 15-gallon specimens at 6-foot spacing. Finish level adjusts plant size, density and material quality — the three things that separate a builder-grade install from a designed garden.
Read next: the full cost guide ·cost per square foot ·how to choose a landscaper